Allergic diseases are very common and include allergic rhinitis (hay fever), atopic dermatitis (eczema), urticaria (hives), chronic sinusitis (infections), asthma, food allergies, drug allergies, insect allergies, and anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reactions). If people knew what they were allergic to, and took proper preventative measures, they would not have nearly the amount of suffering or medication use. Here are ideas to help people understand how they can live healthier lives.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Some samples were mailed to our office of ZinxZincumaceticum. I had never heard of it before, so here is my research into this product. Zinx is just atrade namefor a group of products made by the manufacturer Auriga Laboratories. The purported actual active ingredient is zincumaceticum. I could not find any documented information on the Internet or PubMed database. A very plausible explanation is on WikiAnswers. In short, this is a product of homeopathy and sham marketing with the production of a name. This comes from adding -um to the compound zinc acetate. The name Zinx plays off the widely accepted fact in the lay literature that zinc can prevent colds. This is never been proven in controlled studies. This is why virtually all physicians do not widely recommend taking zinc preparations to prevent or treat respiratory infections. My take on this entire line of products is two thumbs down. I have nothing against the principle. There are no facts that document its safety or efficacy, just word of mouth.

4 comments:

Hello, I've been trying to find reliable information about "zincum aceticum" and came across your post. You mention that there are no clinical studies proving efficacy of zinc. In my search I've come across a reference to two clinical studies which found positive effect of zinc in cold treatment (http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/133/4/245 Mossad et. al, Annals of Internal Medicine Vol. 126, No 2 July 15, 1996; Godfrey et. al., Journal of International Medical Research, Vol 20, No 3 June 1992).

I wonder if you find the results of these studies persuasive or if you have reservations about their reliability. I'd be grateful to know your opinion on the matter.

I apologize about the delay in responding. I just now noticed the comment. The first study has been completely discredited because the physician in charge neglected to mention to the Annals that he was a significant stockholder in the company. The second study had weak methodology and has influenced neither myself or any other physicians to recommend zinc. Note that this was done almost 20 years ago and with no other studies.Respectfully,NK

Could it be that zinc creates a very alkaline environment (albeit temporary) that is hostile to bacteria and (perhaps) viruses as well? I'm sure it won't show up on an alkaline foods list, but it does taste quite chalk-like...

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My biography and contact me

I am a board certified specialist in internal medicine as well as allergy and immunology. I practice in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
I attended the University of Chicago as an undergraduate—although this was before Barack Obama taught there!—and earned my B.A. in Chemistry in 1984. I earned my M.D. at the University of Illinois Medical School. Then, I did a three-year residency in internal medicine at Lutheran General Hospital. Finally, my two-year fellowship in allergy and immunology was at Rush Medical College.
This blog is dedicated to my wife and four kids. My motto (courtesy of my wonderful wife) is, "If you sneeze or wheeze, come see me, please." She is the reason I went into allergy. She has severe allergies, and I wanted to learn about how to take better care of her health. The service organizations I support are the American Lung Association and Boy Scouts of America.
The purpose of this blog is to help people understand and manage allergic diseases. This blog is the direct result of patients asking me questions. I am always trying to improve, so if you notice an error, please contact me.

Quotes for the day

"When I was young, my ambition was to be one of those people who made a difference in this world. My hope still is to leave the world a little bit better place for my having been here. It's a wonderful life and I love it."Jim Henson

"Life is very short, and very uncertain; let us spend it as well as we can."Samuel Johnson

MY GOALS AT PATIENT EVALUATIONS

1. Figure out what is going on. What's the name of the disease process? What's the cause(s)? Ask questions, examine, order diagnostic tests.2. Make me better, yes, at the price of taking more medications initially.3. Keep me better, preferably on as little medication as possible, for the long-term. Some medications may be necessary to prevent attacks.